SHEBOYGAN - Theater for Young Audiences will continue the celebration of its 30th season by mounting the fully staged production of "Junie B. Jones The Musical Jr" on the John Michael Kohler Arts Center theater stage.

TYA's production, which features 25 youths, is based on four of Barbara Park's best-selling books which are brought to life in an adaptation created specifically for Broadway Junior performers.

Barbara Park was best known as the creator and author of the New York Times best-selling Junie B. Jones series. The stories feature an outrageously funny young student who has kept kids and grown-ups alike laughing for decades. The series has sold over 60 million copies in North America alone and is a staple in elementary school classrooms around the world.

In this production, Junie B. experiences her first day of first grade when she discovers she has trouble reading the blackboard and she may need glasses. Add in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal" ... first grade has never been more exciting.

TYA's artistic director Hannah Benton is the stage director and choreographer. Katy Ries is director and music director, Kiyohe Lopez is set and property designer, Isabel Wills is costume designer and Valerie Hoffman is lighting designer.

"Junie B. Jones The Musical Jr." will be performed at JMKAC with a 6:30 p.m. show on March 15 and 2 p.m. shows on March 16 and 17. Tickets may be purchased online at www.tyasheboygan.org. Audience members are cautioned to secure tickets early as shows may sell out. The performance run time is one hour.

The talented cast features numerous newcomers to the stage but TYA veteran actor Lucy Thoresen plays the title and lead role of Junie B. Jones.

As part of its 30th anniversary season, Theater for Young Audiences will present "Junie B. Jones The Musical Jr."(Photo: Courtesy of Theater for Young Audiences)